Deep within the Demon Lord’s dungeon was the enormous main chamber of the dungeon. The ceiling was so high it was lost in darkness, the black stone columns that supported the structure were inscribed with runes, and the floor was polished dark marble that reflected everything above it.

And at the very back of the chamber, on an elevated platform accessed by a wide staircase with irregular steps, was the throne.

It was made of hundreds of skulls, of different sizes and shapes, stacked and fused together forming a massive seat with high backs and armrests that ended in open jaws.

And sitting on that throne, with one leg crossed over the other and her cheek resting on a hand, was the demoness, with her red eyes fixed on something floating in front of her.

A large horizontal mirror.

It hung suspended in the air at face height, held by two small winged demons flying on either side gripping it by the edges with their tiny claws.

And on the surface of the mirror was the image of Mark.

The demoness watched as the column of white light enveloped Mark’s body while his subordinates ran around him screaming and trying to pull him out.

"Well..." she said with a smile that was slowly widening. "Things are developing faster than I anticipated."

The demoness stared at the mirror for a few more seconds, watching as all of Mark’s subordinates grouped around him while he lay unconscious on the ground.

"It seems I’ll have to move up my plans..." she said, straightening in the throne.

Then she snapped her fingers, causing the sound to echo throughout the chamber.

The image in the mirror went dark instantly, leaving the surface completely black, and the two winged demons holding it flew away with the mirror between their claws, disappearing through an opening in the ceiling that closed behind them.

She remained sitting in the silence of the empty chamber for a moment, then raised a hand and snapped her fingers again.

This time the sound was different, deeper, and echoed not just in the chamber but throughout the entire dungeon.

Not even a minute passed before soft knocking sounded through the great door of the chamber.

"You may enter," said the demoness.

And with that the great door opened, letting five figures into the throne room.

The first was a creature that at first glance appeared humanoid, but instead of a head had a black orb from which a white cloud emanated that fell backward and downward as if it were long hair.

The second was a skeleton. Its bones were gleaming black and on its surface were inscribed red pentagrams that glowed. From its skull protruded two long curved horns that arched backward.

The third was an angel. She had a feminine form, with a slender body covered by a white tunic with gold details. Her wings, two enormous pairs that extended across her back, and around her neck floated several golden rings that slowly rotated around each other.

The fourth was a tall, thin shadow made of solid darkness that moved without making any noise. The only thing that broke the blackness of its form was a white jester’s mask that floated where its face should be.

And the fifth was a humanoid body made of parts. Different types of skin sewn together. Its head was surrounded by eyes from different species and colors, embedded in the flesh of its skull.

Standing before the throne, all five knelt at the same time.

"My lady," said the skeleton with its head bowed. "What was the reason you have summoned us?"

"Because the moment has finally come," she said, looking down at them. "And you will be the ones in charge of preparing the ground for my grand return to the surface."

The angel was the next to speak.

"Oh, my beloved queen," she said in a soft and tender voice. "I will do whatever you ask, whenever you ask it, and however you ask it."

But before she could continue, she was interrupted.

"Isn’t that too soon?" said the orb creature in a voice that sounded like it came from inside a cave. "We’re still in the process of finishing your new leviathan."

The patched-together body nodded from its position, making the eyes on its head move in all directions.

"It’s right," said the creature in a raspy and uneven voice. "The new leviathan is barely fifty percent complete."

The Demon Lord listened to them without changing her expression.

"Don’t worry about that," she said as a smile spread across her face. "I’ve already found a much more promising toy."

The chamber fell silent.

The skeleton exchanged a glance with the black orb and the angel tilted her head with curiosity.

"Do you mean..." said the angel slowly, "that human who dared to drive you out of the dungeon?"

"Exactly that one," the demoness confirmed.

The black skeleton straightened slightly in its kneeling position.

"My lady, if you permit me the question..." he said in his elegant tone, "why are you so certain that this human will help us?"

"That is a little secret between him and me," she said with a short laugh.

Then the shadow with the jester’s mask spoke for the first time.

Its voice sounded layered with other voices, some deep, some high-pitched, some whispering and others speaking at normal volume, all at the same time saying the same words.

"What exactly do you want us to do?" asked the shadow.

The demoness straightened in the throne and looked at all five of them.

"Very simple," she said, crossing her hands. "I want you to cause chaos and discord in secret throughout the entire continent."

She raised one finger.

"In the human kingdoms of the center."

She raised a second finger. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"In the semi and demi-human territories of the south."

She raised a third finger.

"And in the frozen north where dragons and spirits dwell."

The skeleton listened to the orders carefully, then spoke again.

"Does that also include the vampire catacombs, my lady?" he asked.

The demoness’s expression changed slightly upon hearing that question.

"No..." she said in a tone that had become colder. "I will deal with those traitors in person when I’m done with the others."

No one said anything about that.

"Any other questions?" asked the demoness with a serious face.

The angel of many eyes raised a hand.

"I, my queen," she said in her sweet tone. "What will the other guardians do while we are away?"

"The others will continue working on the leviathan," responded the demoness. "That I no longer need it as my primary weapon doesn’t mean it’s not useful to have it ready... it’s never a bad idea to have a backup plan."

"I understand..." said the angel, nodding. "In that case, we will depart immediately."

"You better not fail me," said the Demon Lord in a tone that made all of them lower their heads a bit more.

"We won’t, my lady," said the five in unison.

The five creatures got to their feet, made one final bow, and turned around, walking through the great door, which closed behind them with a dull thud that echoed throughout the chamber.

And with that the demoness was alone again.

She raised a hand while making a small sphere appear in her palm. In the sphere was the image of Mark surrounded by his subordinates.

"How I long to see you in person again..." she said as she ran her long tongue across the sphere. "My lovely reincarnate."